Hilton Head, SC planting zone & frost dates
Hilton Head is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 3 and the first fall frost around December 9, for a growing season of about 282 days.
Planting calendar for Hilton Head
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 3) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Jan 6 – Jan 20 Transplant outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 Transplant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 Transplant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 Transplant outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 Transplant outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 14 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 9).
Useful for zone 9b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Feb 2 | Mar 3 | Mar 20 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 4 | Dec 9 | Nov 21 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 20, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 21. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around February 9.
Nearby cities
- Hilton Head Island zone 9b, last frost Mar 3
- Bluffton zone 9a, last frost Mar 3
- Port Royal zone 9a, last frost Mar 3
- Beaufort zone 9a, last frost Mar 3
- Summerville zone 8b, last frost Mar 22
- Charleston zone 9a, last frost Feb 4
- Ladson zone 8b, last frost Mar 7
- North Charleston zone 9a, last frost Mar 7
Questions
What growing zone is Hilton Head, SC?
Hilton Head is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Hilton Head?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Hilton Head is March 3. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 20.
When can I plant tomatoes in Hilton Head?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 10 – Mar 17. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Beaufort Wwtp, SC (USC00380559), 20.6 km (12.8 mi) from the city center, elevation 8 m, based on 12 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.